Gotchen Guard Station

Built in 1909, the Gotchen Creek Guard Station is the oldest historic structure on the Gifford Pinchot National Forest, and the only building constructed during the administration of Gifford Pinchot, first Chief of the U.S. Forest Service and an early conservation leader. Within the state of Washington, only a few ranger stations of this age survive. It is a small two-room cabin nestled in a grove of aspen trees at the edge of a meadow, just a few miles from the Mt. Adams Wilderness. The cabin served as the administrative headquarters for the Mt. Adams District from 1909 until 1916, and was built along the primary "sheep driveway" entering the Forest from the east, which tens of thousands of sheep passed through. It was formally listed in the National Register of Historic Places in 2007. The cabin sleeps a maximum of 6 people in two areas: one double bunk bed in the main room, and a second double bunk bed in a separate bunkhouse near the cabin. The cabin has propane heat, a propane stove, and a propane refrigerator, and pots, pans, dishes, and cooking utensils are provided. A vault toilet is located about 20 yards from the cabin. There are 2 battery operated lanterns, but it is suggested you bring additional non-flammable light sources, such as a headlamp. There is no potable water at the cabin, and guests are strongly encouraged to bring plenty for drinking, cooking, and washing. Snow can be melted during the winter; however, the water must be treated or boiled before drinking. Although the cabin has several amenities, guests need to provide their own sleeping bags, linens, towels, dish soap, matches, first aid kit, toilet paper, and garbage bags. Please pack out what you pack in. Access in winter months depends on snow levels and may require skis, a snowmobile or snowshoes. Many recreational opportunities are within close proximity, including hiking, biking, horseback riding, hunting, skiing, and snowshoeing. Gotchen Creek Trail #40 and Snipes Mountain Trail #11 are both close to the cabin. The guard station sits near the base of Mt. Adams, which at 12,276 feet is the second highest peak in Washington, and a few miles from the Mt. Adams Wilderness, a blend of dry east-side and moist west-side ecosystems that allows diverse vegetation and wildlife to flourish. Multiple trails provide access to spectacular views of Mt. Adams, including its glaciers, mountain streams, meadows, open alpine forests and lava flows. The area was burned over in the Cascade Fire of 2012, and fire scarred trees and post-fire regrowth are part of the adjacent landscape.